Biography of William GillisFranklin County, NY Biographies

William Gilils was born at Cornwall, Ont., June 22, 1822, and passed his youth at Dundee. He was admitted to
the practice of medicine in 1849, and practiced at Fort Covington from that date until his 'final illness in 1894.
Dr. Gillis interested himself in politics at an early date, and became one of the most conspicuous and influential
Republicans in the northern part of the county. Positive and rather aggressive, he naturally aroused antagonisms,
and was the leader in some of the bitterest town contests for party control that were ever fought in the county,
though toward the close of his life all of this feeling died out, and by common consent he was recognized as leader.
He filled many town offices 'with profit to the people and credit to himself, and was also school commissioner
for two terms in the second commissioner district. He died February 17, 1894.